It's a good question

Johnathan Pearce asks the very sensible question:

If the resources of the Earth are finite and everything eventually succumbs to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, then by the logic employed by the deepest of Greens, even if we recycle all our goods and live in mud huts, then at some point, the game is up, we are all doomed, the end is nigh. So my question would be that if this is so, then why not live life to the full and enjoy this "finite" world while we have it? Let's get those SUVs, build those spacecraft, take those lavish holidays, create those new technologies. It is all going to end anyway, so enjoy!

Of course, a lot of politicians like to talk the Green line because it is so easy to justify limiting economic liberties to "save Mother Gaia", and individuals must kow-tow to the power of the herd. If life is a zero-sum game, then Johnathan's question is very pertinent.

Not that many politicians actually feel any need to justify any power grab, of course. . .